Peter Grable, a Palm Beach County lawyer, says he`s willing to admit that he bribed a clerk to destroy drunken driving records.

He says alcoholism has destroyed his life but that he`s on the road to redemption. He claims he would happily pay his debt by doing volunteer work at a Lantana group home.

And in a 20-page report compiled at his lawyer`s request, Grable asks for only two things in return: a clean criminal record and no jail time.

Prosecutors say no on both counts, but Grable isn`t giving up.

``We never lose hope,`` Grable`s lawyer, David Roth, said on Friday. ``Peter is hopeful and optimistic.``

According to the report, ``The destruction of Mr. Grable`s reputation, career and standing in the community is an enormous punishment.``

But branding him a felon would ruin any chance of restoring his life and his career, wrote Patrick McKenna, a private investigator who compiled the report at Grable`s request.

The report is aimed at Circuit Judge Harold Cohen, who plans to sentence Grable on Thursday if the West Palm Beach lawyer pleads guilty to the bribery charge on that day.

In a hearing last month, Cohen said he was reluctant to withhold adjudication, in effect, keep the charges off Grable`s record, if he pleads guilty to the bribery charge.

``Lawyers are held to a higher standard,`` Cohen said last month. ``I feel this is a principle I have to uphold.``

The report urges Cohen to reconsider. It outlines Grable`s membership in Alcoholics Anonymous, his work with a new law firm and his suggestion to do volunteer community service work at a home for the mentally ill in Lantana.

The case began on Dec. 1, 1985, when Grable wrecked his car and was arrested on drunken driving charges.

Later that month, prosecutors say, Grable bribed several clerks in the Palm Beach County Courthouse to destroy the arrest records. He was charged with bribery in December 1987.

Prosecutors say Grable offered a $500 bribe through his secretary, Charlene Fetkowitz, who is scheduled for trial on bribery charges next week.

Last month, Grable announced that he would be willing to plead guilty to bribery if Cohen would withhold adjudication.

Grable faces a 91-day suspension from The Florida Bar beginning Feb. 27. But without a felony conviction on his record, it would be easier for him to persuade the bar to reinstate him.

If Cohen is unwilling to keep the conviction off Grable`s record, Roth said, Grable may not plead guilty to the bribery charges.

Since his arrest in 1985, Grable has been convicted three times on drunken driving charges and the original DUI arrest is still pending.

Prosecutor Krista Rothman said she is not demanding jail time if Grable pleads guilty to the bribery charge, but prosecutors will demand it in Grable`s fourth DUI case.